The Duchess of York Talks About The Young Victoria!

In celebration of the release of The Young Victoria on DVD and Blu-ray, Seventeen got to sit down with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York (and a producer on the film) in true British fashion — at high tea!

17: Were you concerned about doing a film as personal to the royal family as this?

Sarah Ferguson:

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My daughter is in the opening scene, Beatrice, so the fifth great-granddaughter of Victoria is in the film. It's very very important that Victoria was seen this way, for me, that's why the Queen's granddaughter was in it. I would never ever be complacent with that kind of honor.

17: The film is a lot about a young woman dealing with the pressures that come from such a high position, how do your daughters deal with that now?

SF:

My daughters have been brought up with the cheekiness of me on the right and the discipline and the wonderful routine and scheduling of Prince Andrew, so they've got a very good mixture. They want a bit of madness, come to mum. It's not madness, it's Tinkerbelle. Tinkerbelle always must exist in you at all times, because why not do finger painting and funny bits and naughtiness?

When you're royal, the most important thing you must be is royal in your heart, not in your title. You must always think of the ramifications of your actions and lead by example through manners. And don't chew gum in public.

17: What would you want to tell your 17 year-old self?

SF: I would say, you don't need to chase after boys, let the boys come after you. And that you are pretty and you are lovely and you do look good in those blue jeans. You don't worry about the spots and that the hair's wrong because it's your personality and you're great. Stop trying to be a model and have blonde hair and be on the cover of a magazine, just be who you are, because you're really good.